FARMERS’ VIEWPOINTS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19545, 6 April 1935, Page 9

FARMERS’ VIEWPOINTS

REMITS FOR UNIONS. MONETARY REFORM ADVOCATED. CXPIPOSITDON TO TARIFFS. 'Current economic and social problems, as they affect the primary producer, were the principal topics for more ~ than 30 remits from affiliated branches which came before the annual conference of the Waikato subprovincial district of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at Hamilton this afternoon. Tariffs and quotas, subsidies, rating, politics, education, peace and internal organisation were among the subjects under discussion.' A remit from the Newstead branch expressed the opinion that the time was long overdue for a revaluation of all rural lands for rating and taxation purposes. Several speakers were of the opinion that the general value of land should be reduced. There were many anomalies under the existing system, which could be corrected only by a complete revaluation. Others thought that, pending the application of the mortgage legislation, it_ wouldnot be wise to press for the provisions outlined In,the remit. The remit was lost toy .a small majority. -•■i- -, On the motion of Mr T. G. 'Crawley, of Te Awamutu, the oonferenoe reiterated its opinion that the system, of customs taxation for protective purposes was economically unsound, and has a detrimental effect on the economic conditions of the people.

Opposition to Quotas. “It is purely in.accordance with qur .policy of opposing restrictions in any •form,’’ remarked Mr R. H. Feisst, moving an Ohaupo remit that an emphatic protest belJnade against any semblance of quotas whatsoever. The motion carried unanimously. • “We have treated Britain in the same way as she is threatening to deal .with us to-day," declared Mr .Felsst when a remit was considered from the provincial executive whicli advanced the opinion that New Zealand should take the initiative in suggesting to Britain removal so far as possible of tariffs, quotas, levies and other hindrances to trade within the Empire. It was believed that the Empire* should be as unified In trade as in defence. Several speakers expressed the opinion that it was only fitting that the first proposals In the problem of. Empire free trade should oome'-tfrom the Dominions and it'would be well for New Zealand to take the initiative and press the matter to a successful issue. .. “Obsolete Monetary System.” •"Most of our troubles are the effects of an obsolete and out-of-joint monetary system.” contended Mr C. A. Mag'ner, supporting a' remit demanding self-government in money and credit ior the Dominion. The issue and withdrawal of currency and credit, it was considered, should be regulated by a national authority to accord with the production -and: required 'consumption of all goods obtainable within the Dominion. A further remit was passed lecommending that a discussion of the -subject of - monetary reform should occupy first place at the Dominion conference.

Another remit of the Auckland executive was passed affirming the principle that restoration of equities and Justice as between debtors and creditors depended upon the* restoration of the -price levels obtaining during the period of years when the majority of debts were Incurred. Such restoration was the only alternative to the repudiation of contracts. The -chairman, Mr S. N. Ziman pointed out tha-t when price levels changed it was impossible to uphold original contracts. The remit wal carried. Fertiliser Subsidy.

“That representations be made to the Government to have the manure subsidy extended to all manures,” was a remit from the iQhaupo branch. Considerable discussion followed a suggestion from Mr M. E. Marples that .a subsidy to all manures would be almost useless and the motion was lost. An Ohaupo remit asked That the conference express Its* strongest condemnation and disapproval of the Minister of Agriculture’s action in agreeing to the embargo on boneless veal and beef to the detriment, of the New Zealand farmer alone. Mr C. J. Pierce and 'Mr IP. L. Onion strongly criticised the action of Mr Macmillan in dealing with the embargo only at the dire expense of the farmers, contending that the measure had been so temporary that while the speculator gained the farmer had 'suffered. 1 The motion was carried unanimously. A Iluntly remit that the Farmers’ Union should do all in its power to 7 (Commued in next coiumn.j

enable farmer friembers to purchase through their trading department toy order on dairy companies, was referred to ithe Auckland ; executive of the union. ■ • • A Te Awamutu remit contending that the handing over to the mortgage corporation of the returned soldiers’ finance and thus losing their identity was a direct breach of faith was carried.

“ In the opinion of this conference the time has now arrived when the areas of electric power boards and supply authorities should be grouped to ensure more even loading and uniform electrical charges.to consumers,” read a Cambridge motion which also received the unanimous support of delegates. A IHuntly remit was passed urging that steps should be taken to bring about unity of effort on the part of bonaflde farmer co-operative organisations and the Farmers' Union in order that effective resistance, might be offered to legislation which was considered to be gravely iprcjudicing'the economic position of the farming community. It was decided to urge the Government to reduce the vote required to bring about consolidation of country schools to two-thirds in. favour as it was considered that both efficiency and economy could best be served by that measure. The' Government should beasked to restore the boarding allowance of. 5s per week for secondary school pupils and to Increase transport allowance to an equal amount for pupils living 'over five miles from a technical or high school.